Cell phone mistaken for gun leads to search at Victoria Gardens

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- San Bernardino County Sheriff's authorities searched Victoria Gardens for an allegedly armed man Saturday only to find out the man was only armed with a cell phone, officials said.

Several deputies searched the outdoor shopping venue for about 30 minutes with help from the sheriff's aviation team, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies received reports of a man with a gun at Victoria Gardens near Kew Avenue around 2:30 p.m., according to reports. The caller stated the allegedly armed man was in the Macy's Men department store.

Deputies with help from the sheriff's aviation team's helicopter, spotted the reportedly armed man and detained him. After interviewing the man and the person who reported the incident, they determined the man was not armed and the witness had mistaken the man's cell phone for a firearm.

No injuries were reported and it's unclear if any of the stores were placed on lock down.

Several shoppers, some holding a Macy's bag, said they noticed the police activity but didn't know it was about. There was still a handful of law enforcement vehicles roaming the mall about an hour after the incident was reported.

Alejandra Cortez of Rancho Cucamonga stopped by the mall to quickly grab some iced coffee with her two daughters. The trio said they arrived after all the commotion and had no idea.

Cortez said she's not going to let this incident change her mind about being safe in public. She said she can't let these things faze her and doesn't want to live her life in fear.

"You don't even know anymore - it could happen anywhere," Cortez said. "Everyday you walk out the door you take a chance."